Adebule dissociates self from cyber fraudsters

LAGOS State Deputy-Governor, Dr. Idiat Oluranti Adebule yesterday alerted the general public that some unscrupulous elements have been using her name and other particulars on the social media, notably the Facebook to dupe innocent members of the public.

She urged the general public to be wary of such cyber fraudsters in order not to fall victim of the practice in her name.

In a statement by the Public Relations Officer in the office of the Deputy Governor, Desoye Oyelami, Dr. Adebule expressed concerns over this fraudulent practice, disclosing that one of such fraudsters recently linked her with one deceptive “Federal Government Empowerment Scheme, which was advertised on Facebook account using the details of the deputy governor in the ploy to dupe the public.

The statement reads in part: “We wish to bring to your attention, the activities of Cyber Fraudsters and some impostors, impersonating Her Excellency, Dr. Idiat Oluranti Adebule, the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, via social media platforms (Facebook) with the intention of defrauding unsuspecting citizens.

They are attempting to capitalize on her good will to dupe members of the public particularly her associates and members of her religious organization.”

The statement added that efforts are on the top gear to apprehend those behind this mischievous act in due course. She therefore urged Nigerians to disregard any form of financial appeal via social media be it for her own personal use or government as may be directed by the cyber fraudsters, warning that she has not at any time made such appeal either in person or through any agent on social media platform or other channels.

She also charged members of the public who may come across such fraudulent messages to disregard them and report such account or site to the appropriate law enforcement agencies so as to stop this criminal act and ensure that those behind such notorious acts are brought to book to serve as a deterrent to others.

The Deputy Governor disclosed further that she has suspended all her social media activities, while the public will be duly informed on the platforms to use in sharing ideas and opinions on government policies and programmes in the near future.